🔸 Europe reviews “voluntary maritime transit fees” in the Strait of Hormuz

Europe is considering proposals that could make it possible to collect navigation fees in the Strait of Hormuz conditional on them being voluntary. These non-mandatory fees must also have the backing of the International Maritime Organization.

According to The Guardian, David Lamy, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, has said, “Imposing any mandatory charges would be disastrous.”

In contrast, some members of the cabinet believe that “payment systems for specific navigation services are permitted and commonplace in many natural waterways around the world, including the Strait of Malacca and the English Channel.”

These remarks come as US officials have asked Iran to issue a statement saying that “the Strait of Hormuz is open and ships that pass through this vital corridor will no longer be attacked.”

At the same time, Oman, in cooperation with British lawyers, has drafted a proposal for this strait that follows the principles governing the Strait of Malacca.